Want to know what’s better than watching a movie while high? Reading a book. Not really, but let’s pretend. Whether you’re looking to get a little trippy by diving into a strange world, immerse yourself in something thought-provoking, or let memories of a “simpler time” (did that ever exist?) wash over you, here are some options for you to request from your local library or one of Providence’s excellent bookstores.
The Hike by Drew Magary
This book is a trip. You know how books typically have a plot, rising and falling action through which you understand time and tension? This book is like stepping onto a treadmill wearing a blindfold, taping your hands to the handles, and hoping for the best as a stranger toys with the speed. It’s about a man who goes out for a hike while on a business trip and gets terribly, horribly lost. It’s easy to get sucked into, and hard to forget. And it’s the type of weird that will either hit just right or make you feel like you got way too high. Good luck finding out which!
On the Calculation of Volume by Solvej Balle, translated by Barbara Haveland
Looking for something that’s an easy read but still makes you think? This new book by Danish writer Solvej Balle is your ticket. It’s about a woman living the same day over and over again, à la Groundhog Day. But the rules of this world aren’t exactly the same as those in the Harold Ramis film – and much of the fun comes from figuring out, along with the protagonist, what the rules of the world are. It’s written in journal entries, so it’s super propulsive and easy to get lost in. Just don’t forget what day it is.
In. by Will McPhail
At what age do people stop reading books with pictures? If you know what’s good for you, the answer is never. In. by New Yorker cartoonist Will McPhail is a graphic novel published in 2021 that is sparse, introspective, and moving. It’s about a young man trying to understand human relationships, how he fits into the world, and his own life. It may also make you want to call your mom, though perhaps you should wait until your edible wears off.
Stoner by John Edward Williams
Okay maybe this book has absolutely nothing to do with marijuana. But it’s called Stoner and I will take any chance I get to recommend it to anyone. This is one of those books you should read every few years to be reminded that life is precious, even when it feels mundane or strange. Published in 1965, it’s a simple story about a man from a Missouri-farming family who becomes a professor. People who read it often fall into one of two camps: They think it is one of the bleakest books they’ve ever read, or one of the most validating. Give it a go to find out which type of person you are.
I’m Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid
This book is a nightmare. I do not recommend reading it while high unless you love anxiety! But it will make you feel high even if you’re stone cold sober. Specifically, you will feel lost in a stomach-churning terror maze that you’re both unsure how you got into and unsure if you want to leave. It is about a young woman who is traveling with her new boyfriend to meet his parents in his hometown. We learn from the very first line that she is thinking of ending things with him, so you’re poised to examine why she should – or shouldn’t – through the rest of the story. Is the protagonist’s discomfort with her boyfriend’s parents normal meet-the-parents jitters, or is something seriously wrong with them? If you’ve ever experienced social anxiety, you’ll likely see parts of yourself in this story.
Y2K: How the 2000s Became Everything by Colette Shade
How did we get here? If you’re interested in better understanding the moment in which we find ourselves as a country, but too high to read anything outright political, may I recommend this brand-new book that sheds light on our current situation through early 2000s pop culture. This book will let you dive into those flashy, shiny memories of Smash Mouth, inflatable chairs, and MTV Cribs without being made complacent by nostalgia. •
